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Related Concept Videos

Complement System01:27

Complement System

11.1K
The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a...
11.1K
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

14.6K
Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
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Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

3.0K
Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
3.0K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

3.0K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.0K
Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

84.3K
Overview
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Complementation Tests00:49

Complementation Tests

6.3K
A complementation test is a simple cross to identify whether the two mutations are located on the same gene or different genes. It was first performed by Edward Lewis in the 1940s while working on fruit flies. He developed the test to identify the location and arrangement of different mutations on chromosomes.
Organisms heterozygous for different mutations are crossed pairwise in all combinations. If present on different genes, the mutations can complement each other by providing the missing...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion
06:54

Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion

Published on: June 15, 2019

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Novel mechanisms and functions of complement.

George Hajishengallis1, Edimara S Reis2, Dimitrios C Mastellos3

  • 1Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Nature Immunology
|November 17, 2017
PubMed
Summary

The complement system, once seen as just for antimicrobial defense, is now known as a key regulator of immunity and tissue health. Recent research reveals its complex roles in various diseases, impacting immunity and pathogenesis.

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High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
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Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion
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Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Evaluation of the Interplay Between the Complement Protein C1q and Hyaluronic Acid in Promoting Cell Adhesion
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High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
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High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment

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Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion
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Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • The complement system's role has evolved from a simple antimicrobial defense mechanism to a complex regulator of immunity and tissue homeostasis.
  • Recent advances have deepened the understanding of complement activation mechanisms, locations, and structure-function relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated perspective on the complement system's functions.
  • To explore novel and unexpected roles of complement in immunity and disease.
  • To examine how complement influences disease pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature.
  • Analysis of structure-function insights.
  • Synthesis of data on complement activation and its biological impact.

Main Results:

  • The complement system is a global regulator of immunity and tissue homeostasis.
  • Complement activation exhibits complex mechanisms and occurs in various locations.
  • Complement-driven networks are involved in inflammatory, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.

Conclusions:

  • The complement system has multifaceted and context-dependent roles in health and disease.
  • Understanding these complex functions is crucial for comprehending immunity and pathogenesis.
  • Further research into complement's unanticipated functions will illuminate its impact on disease.